Method and apparatus for cleansing water-cooling systems and the like



Jan. 4, 1949. F. E. BRADY, JR

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANSING WATER COOLING SYSTEMS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 16, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR. firm c755 3mm); Jr, Y

/7 rmwtrs.

H Ellm Jan. 4, 1949. F. E. BRADY, JR 2,458,333

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANSING WATER COOLING SYSTEMS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 16, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 4, 1949 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANSING WATER-COOLING SYSTEMS AND THE' LIKE Francis E. Brady, Jr., Muncie, Ind.

Application August 16, 1946, Serlal No. 691,078

This invention relates to a new and novel method for cleaning water cooling systems and the like, particularly automobile radiators and connected water jackets, and the apparatus for practicing such method.

It is well understood that automobile cooling systems, including the radiator and the cylinder jackets connected therewith are affected-by the cooling medium such as water, alcohol, and antifreeze solutions so as to develop an inner coating of lime, rust, and foreign matter which have the effect of clogging and obstructing circulation resulting in damaging ineiiiciencyw It has been the practice to periodically introduce a chemical having such properties as may dissolve or loosen such foreign matter whereupon it is flushed from the system. Various methods and apparatus have been developed and designed for introducing a cleaning fluid and flushing the system, but involving problems of attachments, removing of hose connections, as well as requiring time and attention in the operation.

By means of this invention the entire cooling system of an internal combustion engine, including the radiator compartments and cells, and the water jacket of the cylinders is cleaned of foreign matter such as scale, rust, and gummy precipitate resulting from the use of antifreeze solutions. Additionally, sand and iron particles trapped in the cylinder jacket are removed. This is all accomplished without the necessity of removing the radiator so that the operation may be performed and completed in a short timeat the ordinary filling station. One feature of the invention contemplates a continuous circulation of a cleaning solution through the cooling system followed by draining away the removed foreign matter and cleaning solution while still maintaining fluid circulation as flushing Water is introduced and caused to flow through the system replacing the circulation of the cleaning solution. Another feature of the invention resides in a simplified and more effective method of cleaning and flushing cooling systems requiring no alteration thereof such as removal of the radiator, hose connections or the like, and which may be made automatic in its operation to eliminate manual manipulation with a consequent saving of time and labor. This is accomplished by first introducing and circulating a cleaning solution and then flushing the system with a flushing liquid such as clear water. Thus, it is only necessary to attach a fitting to the filler spout of the radiator. Once the fitting is thus attached the entire cleaning and flushing operation is automatically controlled.

6 Claims. (Cl. 134-24) One feature of the invention resides in the I operation automatically initiating a flushing operation through the same connection.

Whereas the invention is herein shown and disclosed as directed to a method and apparatus for cleaning and flushing automobile cooling systems, it is similarly applicable to other liquid cooling systems, heating systems, or any other system involving liquid circulation.

The full nature of the invention will be undertood from the a company ng drawings and the following description and claims:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through the control apparatus schematically illustrating its connection with a cooling system radiator.

Fig. 1A is a schematic illustration of the liquid circulation through the radiator and motor block cooling jacket.

Fig. 2 is the same as Fig. 1 showing a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a section through the inlet and outlet fitting with parts in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a plan view thereof.

In the drawings, for illustrating the method of cleaning and flushing liquid circulating systems such as the water cooling system of an automobile,.there is shown an automobile radiator ill which may be considered symbolic of the entire liquid circulating system including motor block cooling jacket Wu, and hose connections. The radiator i0 is customarily provided with a filler spout including an upstanding neck ll at the top thereof. The top of the radiator is provided with a hose connection i2 and the bottom of the radiator with a hose connection l3 through which the motor block water cooling jacket llla is connected, there being included in the system the usual drain cock M at the bottom of the radiator and a water circulating pump Kid.

A suitable fitting Hi to be hereinafter described is secured to the filler spout ll of the radiator, being provided with an inlet conduit l6 and a companion outlet conduit ii extending side by side, both opening into the filler spout. The inlet conduit I6 is connected with a forced flow hose l8 and the outlet conduit IT is connected with a return flow hose Hi.

There is provided a liquid tank 2|] which may be suitably mounted upon wheels or a truck for being conveniently located near the radiator to be serviced. Near one end of the tank there is a partition 2i extending upwardly to above half its depth but below the maximum waterline indicated at 22. The partition 2i thus'forms a small compartment 23 at one end of the tank for receiving through a filler opening 23a a concentrated cleaning chemical indicated at 24 of any suitable character of which there are a number on the market. The tank is filled with water to the water line 22, which is introduced into the compartment 23 to mix with the cleaning chemical and form a solution, the upper levelof the water free of the solution flowin over the partition 2| to flil'the compartment 20.

Mounted on top of the tank there is an electric motor 25 connected in the usual way to a switch controlled source of current. The shaft 25 of said motor extends downwardly into the compartment 23, its lower end being connected to a centrifugal pump 21, said pump being located .within the compartment 23 slightly above the level of the cleaning chemical 24 which is placed therein. Said pump is connected with the forced flow hose l8. Upon the pump being driven by the motor it acts to create a circulating current of water within the compartment 23 such as to mix and dissolve the cleaning chemical, forcing such solution through the hose l8 into thefiller spout of the radiator.

The cleaning solution thus forced into the radiator is circulated through the entire system by the kinetic energy resulting from the velocity under which it ispumped therein assisted by the motor water pump l3a. The circulated fluid will be forced from the radiator through the outlet l1 and returned to the upper portion of the tank at the opposite end thereof from the pump, through the return hose |9 connected thereto by the fitting 28. Thus, there will be a forced circulation through the system and tank such as to carry foreign matter cleansed therefrom into the receiving portion of the tank separated from the cleaning fluid compartment by the partition 2|.

4 the pump motor 25 may be shut off and the operation discontinued.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the operator need only make the connection to the filler spout through fitting l5 and plug the overflow line with a suitable stopper. turn on the fresh water hydrant, place the cleaning compound 24 in the compartment 23, and turn on ing gasket40 adapted to seat upon the upper Such sludge and the like will, therefore, a'ccumulate in' the receiving portion of the tank without being reintroduced into the radiator by reason of the separating partition.

For automatically flushing the radiator upon completion of the cleansing operation, there is provided a float controlled valve for the fresh water inlet into the tank. A hose 30 is connected with any suitable fresh water hydrant and with the fitting 3| on the tank, which fitting is connected by the pipe 32, extending into the compartment 23, with' a fresh water discharge nozzle through the valve 34 controlled by the float 35. Also connected with the bottom of the tank 20 leading from the sludge chamber portion thereof there is a drain pipe 36 controlled by the drain pipe valve 31-.

When the float is in its lowermost position it opens the fresh water intake valve 34 to permit the tank to be filled to the water level indicated at 22. When the-float is elevated to its raised position by the water it closes valve 34.

The tank is filled with water to the desired level which waterlevel is maintained during the cleaning operation above described. During such cleaning operation the drain valve 31 is closed. Thus there will be a continuous circulation of cleaning solution through the system for such period of time as maybe necessary to remove and dissolve foreign matter therein. Thereupon it is only necessary to open the drain valve 31 which permits water to flow from the tank carrying with it the sludge delivered thereto by return flow hose l9. As the water in the tank will thereby beconstantly depleted the cleaning solution will eventually drain out, and fresh water constantly admitted so that continued operation of the pump 21 together with the waterpump I30. of the automobile engine will circulate flushing water through the system. Such flushing action with constantly renewed clean water may be continued until all foreign matter and sludge has been carried from the radiator l0 after which edge of the filler spout to form a seal therewith and through which the inlet and discharge tubes I6, I! extend. In order that the fitting may be applied to any form or shape of filler spout, a locking ring 4| is placed thereabout and locked thereto by a pair of oppositely disposed clamping screws 42 which are screw threaded therein through the bosses 43. Said clamping screws are provided at their inner ends with the loosely mounted clamping heads 44, respectively, adapted to clamp against the outer surface of the filler spout. The locking ring 4| is provided on op-' posite sides, intermediate the clamping bolts, with the locking pins 45. A U-shaped pressure arm 41 is mounted over the cap to embrace it with the lower ends thereof notched to engage and interlock with the respective pins 45. A pressure screw 48 is threaded through a central boss 49 in the pressure arm, having a bearing head 50 at its lower end engaging the top of the cap. In this manner an anchor in the form of locking ring 4| may be provided for any size or type of filler spout after which the cap may be clamped in sealing engagement with the spout through the pressure arm 41. The cap is formed with adjacent connections 5| on one side thereof for connecting its inlet and outlet conduits I6,

. I] with the force flow hose and the return flow hose, respectively.

The invention claimed is:

1. Apparatus for cleaning and flushin cooling systems and the like having an opening therein, comprising a fitting havin inlet and outlet conduits adjacent each other, means for sealing said fitting over said opening with said conduits communicating with the interior of said system, a water containing tank having a compartment in liquid communication therewith for receiving a cleaning compound, a fresh water inlet connection with said tank, a float controlled valve for controlling said fresh water inlet for preventing intake of fresh water when the waterin said tank is at a predetermined level, a motordriven mixing pump in said compartment in fluid connection with said inlet conduit for forcing a cleaning solution therethrough, a fluid connection for delivering fluid from said outlet conduit back to to drop causing said float controlled valve to admit freshwater thereto for forced circulation through said system to effect the flushing of the cleaning fluid therefrom.

2. The method of cleaning and flushing an automobile cooling system includin a radiator and cylinder jacket connected thereto, said radiator having a filler spout and overflow outlet therein, consisting in plugging said overflow outlet, attachin and sealing within said :pout an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit both extending in parallel relation directly downwardly therethrough into said radiator, submerging a cleaning compound in a tank of water maintained at a predetermined level, mixing and pumping a solution of said compound from said tank through said inlet conduit at a velocity and direction of flow to effect its circulation through said cooling system and back to said tank through said outlet conduit carrying dislodged foreign matter therewith, draining said tank of said solution and foreign matter after a predetermined time interval, and maintaining the liquid level in said tank by a flow of fresh Water thereto for circulation through said system until all trace of said solution and foreign matter are removed therefrom.

3. Apparatus for cleaning and flushing a cooling system including a radiator in assembled connection with a cylinder jacket, said radiator having a filler spout; including a water containing tank for receiving a cleaning compound, a fresh water inlet connection with said tank, means responsive to the water level in said tank operative to control the flow of water through said inlet to maintain a predetermined water level in said tank, the water in said tank mixing with said compound to provide a cleaning solution, a motor driven pressure pump in operative communication with said tank, an inlet conduit connected with said pump and adapted to be connected With said filler spout for forcibly directing said cleaning solution therein, an outlet conduit connected with said tank adapted to be connected with said system for delivering the cleaning solution back to said tank, said pump acting to force said solution through said inlet conduit under pressure and in a direction to circulate it through said system and outlet conduit, and drain means connected with said tank operable to drain the circulated cleaning solution therefrom after a predetermined time interval for lowering the liquid level of said tank and cause said water level responsive means to admit fresh water for continuing circulation through said system.

4. The method of cleaning and flushing an automobile cooling system including a radiator in assembled connection with a cylinder jacket, said system having an overflow outlet therein; consisting in supplying a cleaning solution in a tank and maintaining it at a predetermined level, connecting inlet and outlet conduits with said system, plugging said overflow outlet, pumpin said cleanin solution from said tank through said inlet conduit to efiect its circulation through said cooling system and back to said tank through said outlet conduit carrying dislodged foreign matter therewith, draining said tank of said solution and foreign matter after a time interval'while maintaining the liquid level in the tank by a flow of fresh water thereto for circulation through said system until all traces of said solution and foreign matter are removed therefrom.

5. Apparatus for cleaning and flushing a cooling system including a radiator in assembled connection with a cylinder jacket, comprising a water containing tank for receiving a cleaning comsaid water level responsive means to admit fresh water for continued circulation through said system.

6. Apparatus for cleaning and flushing a cooling system having, an inlet and outlet, said system including a radiator in assembled connection with a cylinder jacket, including a water containing tank forreceiving a cleaning compound, a fresh water inlet connected with said tank, means responsive to the'water level in said tank operative to control the flow of water through said inlet to maintain a predetermined Water level in said tank, the water in said tank mixing with said compound to provide a cleaning solution, a circulating pump in operative communication with said tank, an inlet conduit connected with said pump and adapted to be connected with the inlet of said cooling system for forceably directing said cleaning solution therethrough, an outlet conduit connected with said tank adapted to be connected with the outlet of said system for delivering the cleaning solution back to said tank, said pump acting to force said solution through said inlet conduit under a pressure and in a direction to circulate it through said system and back to said tank, and drain means connected with said tank operable to drain the circulated cleaning solution therefrom after a predetermined time interval for lowering the liquid level of said tank and cause said water level responsive means to admit fresh water for continuing circulation through said system.

FRANCIS E. BRADY, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 'Ierlesky et al. Jan. 27, 1941 Albertson 1 June 27, 1944 Glickman Oct. 23, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Saussure Apr. 29, 1941- Germany Apr. 25, 1918 

